The Bossier Arts Council is dedicated to fostering, promoting, supporting and providing cultural events and arts programming of the highest quality for Bossier Parish. The Bossier Arts Council emphasizes this mission by: focusing on the growth and education of artists and arts organizations, enhancing the quality of life for Bossier citizens and developing a cultural identity for Bossier.

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Bossier
Arts Council Emerging Artist Gallery is thrilled to announce an exhibition of Robert
Smith. His work will be on display at
the gallery from January 3rd to February 1st and will feature a
variety of mediums and subjects.

Robert is a
self taught artist who started his artistic career at the age of four. When
asked about his creative process Robert answered “I paint for the sheer joy of creating
something where there was nothing. At
this point in my career, I paint only that which I wish to paint. That is to say, I paint for the color,
reflections, shadows and refractions that catch my eye.”

The East Bank Gallery is a project of the Bossier Arts Council is
committed to promoting art work of regional artists. It is located in BAC headquarters at 630
Barksdale Blvd. right off of I-20. You
can visit the gallery Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00am-6:00pm or by
appointment.

For more information about Robert Smith or the Bossier Arts Council feel
free to call us at 741-8310 or visit our website at http://www.bossierarts.org/.

The Bossier Arts Council's staff and interns are a little insane. But it isn't with out good reason.

Set rendering by Theatre intern Jessica

We decided in the midst of our activity packed fall that we would produce a Christmas show in one week. Because, as mentioned previously, we are insane. We looked at all the other quality Christmas themed activities happening in Shreveport-Bossier (and there is a lot) and decided we would do something different. Something aimed at "adult" audiences. Christmas is hard for adults. It means braving scary shopping centers, listening to our kids well meaning (but often off pitch) School Holiday Programs, visiting family (no further explanation needed), and looking cheery the entire time.

Blank and empty stage

Well, you need a break. That's why we decided to bring you "Eight Reindeer Monologues" by Jeff Goode. The play can be best described as “a dark, dark Christmas comedy. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa’s eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. As mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges, which seems to implicate everyone from the littlest elf to the tainted Saint himself. With each deer’s confession, the truth behind the shocking allegations becomes clearer and clearer…and murkier and murkier”.

We have wall up!!!

But if that isn't enough we will include a "very tacky cocktail hour" before the event. Starting at 7pm this Thursday and Friday you will be in for a treat just for you. Because after all you deserve it (do I have to point to the above section). Tickets are only $10 but seating is limited (we have under 40 left for Friday). Just call 318-741-8310 or write me (Leigh Anne Chambers) at leigh@bossierarts.org to reserve your tickets today. Scattered throughout this article are our pictures of set building. Because whether your a Theatre nerd or not putting up a production in one week is something to witness.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Hello all! This is Leigh Anne Chambers, Executive Director from the Bossier Arts Council and I have some thoughts I must share. This past week I've had the very good fortune to be surrounded by Bossier Parish's youth and its left me pondering some very important questions and concerns. First, let me say that I am blown away by the talent and accomplishments of our youths and their educators. However, somethings became very clear to me this week and one of those things was that these kids believe that their is no hope for a career in the creative industry.

I spent my mornings judging the Senior Projects for Bossier Parish High School and Tuesday evening celebrating the talent of our Elementary, Middle School, and High School visual arts students in our Annual Bossier Parish Student Art Show, and this afternoon I will be meeting with our Budding Artist Association (our Jr. Arts Council). I personally love being around students of all ages and experiencing their creativity and enthusiasm for life and for artistic exploration and process.

When speaking with these students and their parents I heard the phrase "I am so glad that they will have this hobby for the rest of their lives." While I think arts (visual, performing, literary) can be a great hobby it can and is often more than that for a large number of the population. Because I earned two liberals arts degrees and have spent all of my adult life being employed in the arts I know that it can be a career option. Most everyone I know works in the creative industry or creatively in general business society. Most of those individuals are employed and no more are unemployed than my High School friends who reflect careers in non creative fields.

It is a viable career path. It can lead to employment. Although we will all make sacrifices or adjustments to the needs of living or paying for things we want we can earn a living doing something we love. My Dad told me when I was a High School Senior that I would spend most of my life working and if that was the case I should think long and hard about what I loved doing. And I did and I haven't regretted it yet. Perhaps its been more difficult path than others, but I believe its been a rewarding one.

That's why I am glad that my choices lead me to the Bossier Arts Council. That I have the pleasure of working for an organization that is trying to share with our community about alternative career paths. Our DigiFest South is all about that topic. And even to me its been an eye opening experience.

I leave you with a well know poem by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

On December 11th the Bossier Arts Council hosted the Bossier Parish Student Art Show. Over 200 community members gathered together to celebrate the collective talents of the young artists in Bossier Parish. We awarded $1500 in prizes thanks to Target Corporation to both students and their educators.

Panda byTaylor Avery

The Best in Show award went to Taylor Avery of Haughton High School for Panda.

Rainbow Trout by Lane Kirkland

The High School Second Place award went to Lane Kirkland of Benton High School for Rainbow Trout.

Nevermore by Alfonso Vaca

The High School Third Place award went to Alfonso Vaca of Airline High School for Nevermore.

Jaguar God by Jet Banks

The High School Honorable Mention award went to Jet Banks of Haughton High School for Jaguar God.

My Fish by Fabiola Sardina

The Middle School First Place award went to Fabiola Sardina of Greenacres Middle School for My Fish.

Goofy by Katie Walker

The Middle School Second Place award went to Katie Walker of Haughton Middle School for Goofy.

Sugar Skull by Madelyn Elliot

The Middle School Third Place award went to Madelyn Elliot of Elm Grove Middle School for Sugar Skull.

Dragonfly by Caden Davis

The Middle School Honorable Mention award went to Caden Davis of Elm Grove Middle School for Dragonfly.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Bossier Arts Council is thrilled to announce that we will be handling the artwork at two Community Trust Bank locations one in Bossier (2790 Airline Drive) and one in Shreveport (3400 Line Ave). We are currently looking for artists to display in both locations. When asked why an artist would like to take part in this opportunity Steven Belk, BAC's Gallery Coordinator responded, "We feel that art should be a part of everyday life and a bank is at least a part of everyone's week! We want the community to be more aware of the talent we have in our region and want to seize every opportunity to display our artists work".

Those selected to exhibit will be featured on our blog, website, facebook, and BAC will also send out a press release to local media. Each exhibition will hang for three months. Participating artists will have their work displayed at both bank locations at the same time. Steven estimates approximately 10-15 pieces (depending on size) for each exhibition. "This is a wonderful opportunity to get you work out there and exhibit in a non-traditional space" Belk said. "Not to mention you are helping BAC foster its mission to 'enhance the quality of life and to develop a cultural identity'".

Those interested in participating should email a resume, artist statement, and 3-5 images of art work to Steven Belk at steven@bossierarts.org by January 15th. If you have any questions please call 741-8310 and speak to Steven.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The BAC Gift Shop is honored to feature the work of performance artist and musician, Ian Quiet! We now have a wonderful selection of Ian's CD's, which would make excellent and unique holiday gifts. We are happy to add Ian to the BAC family and we look forward to working with him in the future.

Please take a moment to read Ian's bio and artist statement and if you are interested in seeing him perform live, he will be at Christmas Under Da Ground, this Saturday, December 8th, 7pm at Minicine?, 846 Texas Avenue.

Ian Quiet
was born in Savannah, GA, but spent the majority of his childhood in
Shreveport, LA.At age two he joined the
choir after singing in every cash register microphone that he could get his
hands on.During his school years he
took formal lessons in violin, percussion, keyboard percussion, piano as well
as continuing with the choir in church and school.It was in high school that Quiet largely
abandoned all academic musical training to focus on experimentation and
concepts that were discouraged in the classroom.

Quiet’s
first year of college was without music study and he grew restless and moved to
Atlanta and then Athens, GA to follow his musical pursuits.He began recording some lo-fi, industrial
songs and published them on mp3.com.This was a very prolific time, but most of these recordings have either
been rerecorded or abandoned.

After a
potent dose of bohemia, Ian Quiet was ready to return to Shreveport.He was encouraged by minicine? and the
underground community and began performing live and continuing to record music
which was at this time largely sample based and influenced by the electroclash
movement.Not long after, Quiet felt the
need to leave Shreveport and moved to New Orleans.The move was short lived due to Hurricane
Katrina.

Back in
Shreveport, Christopher Alexander, who had previously taken Quiet under his
wing, released an EP, Vulcan’s Prayer, in 2006 on Alexander’s Why The Hell Not?
Music label.Vulcan’s Prayer was a
sample based affair and was based on industrial-techno beats and cryptic lyrics
by Quiet.Why The Hell Not? Music
released Dancing God in 2007.This album
moved much closer to Quiet’s artist statement and contained elements from hip-hop
to sound collage as well as continuing in an industrial-techno vein.

2009 saw the
release of Ian Quiet Says…Save The Spotted Mermaid which was an early nominee
for an Independent Music Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.Its sound was more indie dance and
folktronica and some songs actually have no electronics in them. This album was
released independently on Quiet’s own Ian Quiet label along with rereleases of
the first two albums.Over 70 songs were
recorded for Mermaid, but 10 made the cut.

In 2010
Quiet released Pu Pu Platter which is a marriage between performance art and
dance-pop.The concept album revolved
around water and Americanized Asian cultural elements as motifs.Not one to sit still for very long, 2011 saw
the release of Like A Vegan, which contains his most accessible material to
date.

As of 2012
Quiet has released Labalenn’s Lullabies, a collection of cross-cultural
lullabies and instrumentals influenced by his interest in healing music and
music therapy.The entire album is
acoustic.He plans to release two more
singles from Like A Vegan and a companion DVD in 2013 and release a new album later that
year.

Artist Statement

My music is
a constant progression of my experiences in the world.I am very eager to try new things.I am passionate about exploring music (and
life) and strive to leave no stone unturned sonically (and visually through
performance art, live shows, music video, etc).I write/compose, produce, mix, and record cross-genre.

Although my
work is primarily musical in nature (strongly influenced by pop as well as
extreme avant-garde), I have always incorporated performance art during my live
act and music videos.My background,
besides music, is also in theatre, film, sound art and fine arts.It is imperative for me to create a visual
aesthetic that compliments the soundtrack through costume, fashion, visual art,
film, etc.

The bulk of
my output so far has been in electronic music (2006-current), but I have also
released acoustic music inspired by the cultures of Haiti, France, and Louisiana
(among others).This music and sound art
is meant to be an impression and appropriation of those respected elements and
not necessarily an attempt to recreate the music of those cultures.Their cultural cues provide a recipe for me
to start with, but I add my own flavors.

Another trend
in my career has been my work in ambient music and sound art. Although I have had some ambient works on my
albums, since 2009 I have actively worked in this area.I was commissioned to perform sound art at
the 2009 and 2011MSPS New Music
Festival opening for Phantom Orchard (Zeena Parkins and Ikue Mori) and Tim
Hecker, as well as appearing live on KTBS-3 News performing a select piece to
publicize the festival.I have also been
commissioned by The Meadows Museum at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA to
perform ambient works for art openings.Some of the sounds on my album Labalenn’s Lullabies incorporate these
works as will my upcoming material.I
have recently been taught how to make contact mics and plan on finding creative
ways to mix sound art with electronic pop and acoustic cross-cultural music.

Since 2011 I have been producing, directing, and actively creating
music videos to go with certain songs.My music video for Raw Vegan Wedding Cake has been submitted to minicine?’s X-mas Under Da Ground.

Since 2012 I have performed shows outside of Shreveport and Bossier
City.I have done two shows in
Bradenton, FL and made my live debut in Austin, TX.It is my intention to continue performing in
as many different places as possible.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Bossier
Arts Council East Bank Theatre is thrilled to announce their upcoming
production of Eight Reindeer Monologues by
Jeff Goode. The production produced by
special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc will run Thursday, December 20th
and Friday, December 21st at 7pm.
Tickets are $10 and this mature themed production ticket price includes
a cocktail hour with complimentary alcoholic beverage and themed treats. Tickets will only be sold to individuals 21
years or older and I.D.’s will be checked at the door.

The play can
be best described as “a dark, dark Christmas comedy. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of
Santa’s eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. As mass media descends upon the event, the
other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a
horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges, which seems to implicate
everyone from the littlest elf to the tainted Saint himself. With each deer’s confession, the truth behind
the shocking allegations becomes clearer and clearer…and murkier and murkier”.

Leigh Anne
Chambers, Executive Director of the Bossier Arts Council, said the following
about the production “I think during the Holiday’s adults need a little comic
relief. It can all be so stressful so
sometimes it’s nice to have a break from the cheer and laugh at the darker side
of Christmas. I mean who hasn’t thought
the fact that ‘Santa knows when you are sleeping and when you are awake’ is a
little creepy”.

To make
reservation call 318-741-8310 or stop by the Bossier Arts Council at 630
Barksdale Blvd Tuesday-Saturday 11-6pm.
The production has limited seating of a 100 a night and only two
productions so get them while they last!

The East Bank Theatre is a project of the Bossier Arts Council and is
committed to promoting live performance in Bossier Parish.. It is located in BAC headquarters at 630
Barksdale Blvd. right off of I-20.

For more information about Eight Reindeer Monologues or the Bossier Arts
Council feel free to call us at 741-8310 or visit our website at http://www.bossierarts.org/.

Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.